Mississippi Construction Bidding Guide 2025: State & Local Contracts
Complete guide to finding construction bids in Mississippi. Learn about MAGIC procurement, contractor licensing, bonding requirements, and winning public works contracts.
Mississippi Construction Market Overview
Mississippi's construction market features significant highway infrastructure, shipbuilding and defense industries along the Gulf Coast, and ongoing recovery from weather events. The state has contractor licensing requirements and competitive bidding laws.
Key Construction Sectors
- Transportation: MDOT highway and bridge program
- Defense: Shipbuilding, military installations
- Education: K-12 schools, university facilities
- Gaming: Casino and resort construction
- Manufacturing: Auto plants, industrial facilities
Procurement Portals
MAGIC (Mississippi Accountability System for Gov't Info & Collaboration)
The state's central procurement system.
- • Portal: magic.ms.gov
- • Registration: Required for vendors
- • Coverage: State agencies
MDOT Letting Schedule
Mississippi DOT posts highway construction lettings monthly. Contractors must be prequalified to bid on MDOT projects.
Bureau of Building
Manages construction projects for state buildings, educational facilities, and other state-owned properties.
Contractor Licensing
Mississippi State Board of Contractors
Mississippi requires contractor licensing for projects over $50,000.
License Classifications:
- • Building Construction
- • Residential Construction
- • Highway & Bridge
- • Heavy Construction
- • Specialty trades
Requirements:
- • Trade examination
- • Business & law exam
- • Financial statement
- • Insurance verification
$50,000 License Threshold
Any single construction contract exceeding $50,000 requires a Mississippi state contractor license.
Major Contracting Agencies
| Agency | Project Types |
|---|---|
| MDOT | Highways, bridges |
| Bureau of Building | State buildings |
| IHL (Universities) | Campus construction |
| Mississippi Gaming Commission | Gaming facilities |
| Naval Construction (Federal) | Shipyard facilities |
Bonding Requirements
Mississippi Public Works Bonding
Mississippi requires bonds on public construction contracts:
Tips for Winning Mississippi Contracts
1. Get MDOT Prequalified
MDOT has a substantial annual highway program. Prequalification is required for highway construction projects.
2. Target Gulf Coast Opportunities
The Mississippi Gulf Coast has significant shipbuilding, gaming, and tourism construction. Ingalls Shipbuilding alone represents major ongoing investment.
3. Monitor Bureau of Building
Bureau of Building manages state construction projects. Register and track their bid opportunities for public building work.
4. Pursue Federal Work
With naval shipyards and military bases, federal construction spending in Mississippi is substantial. Register in SAM.gov for federal opportunities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the contractor license threshold?
Mississippi requires a state contractor license for any single contract exceeding $50,000 in value.
Does Mississippi have prevailing wage?
Mississippi does not have a state prevailing wage law. Federal projects follow Davis-Bacon requirements.
How do I get prequalified with MDOT?
Submit a prequalification application to MDOT showing financial capacity, equipment ownership, and construction experience in your requested work categories.
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